Sydney v Nth Melbourne Gameday Thread - Jetta sub

[Captain]

My best:

Grundy, Kennelly, Mattner, Shaw, McGlynn

Need to lift (for us to have a chance against good sides):

Goodes, ROK, McVeigh, Teddy

[Captain]

I liked having Johnston in our forward line. It gave us a bit of structure. Would definitely stick with him.

[giant]

Come on. Smith was being overly cute getting past the first guy and got mowed down. It's no ones fault but his.

But I suppose it is 'not done' to dare criticise Smith. My bad.

Well actually if Richards hadn't missed him with a 15m pass he wouldn't have to dodge anyone. Richards, after a great start to the season, is playing with the confidence of a Thanksgiving turkey.

[chalbilto]

I need a Bex and a good lie down after that.

We dodged a bullet or two there but our defence, after the first few minutes, was again pretty solid. Shaw was superb all day and Grundy did a brilliant job on Petrie after being moved onto him. Hanners backed up last week with a decent performance too. Once Reid stops dropping contested marks he'll be a superstar.

Jetta's impact as the sub changed the game and allowed us to win it.

Thoughts on the McGlynn free kick?

What about a cup of tea? By the way do they still make Bex?

[Beerman]

Daddy! Daddy!

Loved Shaw's tackle on Petrie at the end of the last quarter. Desperation stuff and absolutely saved our bacon, but for all the world it looked a kid tackling his Dad!

[On-Baller]

Just a few thoughts straight after the game.

I know we weren't great, but I reckon there are a heap of positives to take from today.

Shaw was sensational, Bird was terrific, Smith was cool for the most part and his 1%'s to continually force stoppages and throw-ins in the last quarter was reminiscent of Buchanon's last qtr that day in '05.

I thought McVeigh had his best game for a while, Malceski was OK, even if a bit wobbly down back, but that is not a new revellation. Grundy should do more in the warmup. He has become a first quarter turnover merchant every week before steadying and pantsing his opponent.

Goodes was just terrible and I see that as one of the real positives given we managed to get away with a win. I noticed he had a thumb taped fairly heavily. Is that normal or did he carry a thumb/finger into the game which could explain his deplorable marking?

LJ appeared nervous and fumbly, understandable, but he was really being played out of position so deep in attack. He is much more comfortable and proficient playing a similar role to Sam and hitting up long leads and when he did that, he looked pretty good. When Mummy comes back, I'd like to see Seaby stay in and play Ruck/FF in tandem with Mummy with LJ and Sam hitting up leads around the half forward.

Just got back from the game and agree with pretty much everything youv'e said but not sure on Mcveigh,at least 2 or 3 unpressured skill errors from him in the first half 2 of which resulted in goals,easily the best game ive seen Bird play,and while ive knocked Tadgh a bit this year and still am not sure on him his game today was easily his best since coming back last year,biggest issue is everytime he's just put in a run or big effort the next 2 or so minutes is spent with hands on hips walking no matter whats going on around him,great turn around after the first blitz by north and grundy and ted swapping positions early was a big difference.

[Triple B]

Loved Shaw's tackle on Petrie at the end of the last quarter. Desperation stuff and absolutely saved our bacon, but for all the world it looked a kid tackling his Dad!

Yep, that was a super tackle...

And welcome.

[BSA5]

LJ appeared nervous and fumbly, understandable, but he was really being played out of position so deep in attack. He is much more comfortable and proficient playing a similar role to Sam and hitting up long leads and when he did that, he looked pretty good. When Mummy comes back, I'd like to see Seaby stay in and play Ruck/FF in tandem with Mummy with LJ and Sam hitting up leads around the half forward.

I actually liked LJ deep. He was nervous and fumbly as you say, but he leads well, he converts well, and he just has a bit of presence about him. I've never thought about it this way before, but he actually reminded me a bit of Daniel Bradshaw. Not the biggest FF to play the game, but big enough, broad shoulders, reads the play well and can compete at ground level. If LJ can get his upper body and core strength up to scratch (he's only young, he's got improvement in that area), I could really see him turning into that kind of player.

Also, he should grow his hair out again. I like it long.

[wolftone57]

Just got back from the game and agree with pretty much everything youv'e said but not sure on Mcveigh,at least 2 or 3 unpressured skill errors from him in the first half 2 of which resulted in goals,easily the best game ive seen Bird play,and while ive knocked Tadgh a bit this year and still am not sure on him his game today was easily his best since coming back last year,biggest issue is everytime he's just put in a run or big effort the next 2 or so minutes is spent with hands on hips walking no matter whats going on around him,great turn around after the first blitz by north and grundy and ted swapping positions early was a big difference.

Agree, good move but I would like to see LRT in the backs, he is not a forward & definitely not a ruck. Bring Dan Currie in , he can kick a goal & I love his agression. Our Backs are looking like the pensioners of the team but did well today, Teddy, Marty & Tadgh are the oldest other than Bolts & Goodsie.

[Big Al]

Loved Shaw's tackle on Petrie at the end of the last quarter. Desperation stuff and absolutely saved our bacon, but for all the world it looked a kid tackling his Dad!

Great description and what Triple B said, welcome.

[Triple B]

Great description and what Triple B said, welcome.

I wonder why you and I were immediately compelled to welcome the new poster Big Al.

Wouldn't have anything to do with his name, surely not?

[Xie Shan]

only saw bits and pieces and listened to the last quarter on the radio, we aren't playing with any sort of confidence whatsoever but sounds like we just toughed it out in the last quarter. We are still a young side this year so after last week and now this week (only just getting over a team not in finals contention) it says more about where we are at.

[Big Al]

saved our bacon

I wonder why you and I were immediately compelled to welcome the new poster Big Al.

Wouldn't have anything to do with his name, surely not?

mmmmmm.... could be.

[Doctor]

What about a cup of tea? By the way do they still make Bex?

Funnily enough I had the cup of tea straight after the game. On reflection I realised my chances of getting a Bex were remote (no they don't make it any more) and my kids prevent me lying down for too long, so I went for the tea and this forum, which is as close to Bex as I can get for now...

[erica]

While I am always happy to take the four points, I'm unconvinced that we are top four contenders. The closer we get to the Collingwood game in June, the more scared I am.